Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-11 at 11:02

HEADLINES
Pentagon trims Christian tag, sparks backlash
US sanctions IRGC missile procurement network
Knesset pushes draft evaders rights bill

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the Pentagon updated its list of verified religious affiliations for service members, trimming the catalog to 31 categories and removing Christian as a blanket tag for several faith groups, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Defense Department notes that more than 20 of the categories are listed as Christian, and the change sparked swift criticism from Utah Senator Mike Lee, who identified as Mormon and said the move was offensive and inconsistent with shared heritage and the government's duty not to weigh in on doctrinal disputes in a video posted on X. In a separate development, President Donald Trump said the United States would strike Iran tonight, posting that, “at some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets.” He described a preference to take Kharg Island but questioned whether America has the stomach for it in a call with Fox, and he criticized the Kurds for distributing weapons during the protests in Iran, saying they let the US down after deliveries intended for protesters were distributed.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States will sanction thirteen individuals and entities tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps missile procurement network, including actors in Iran, Belarus, China, and Hong Kong, according to a State Department press statement. The sanctions target efforts to source weapons such as man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS and other proliferation-sensitive materials) as part of a broader effort to disrupt Iran’s military programs and hinder its proliferation activities, with a fact sheet naming entities like Armory Alliance, a Belarus-based broker for China and Iran, and Mohammadmahdi Maleki, a Belarus-based Iranian associated with Armory Alliance. Separately, the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus hosted its annual Jerusalem Day celebration on Capitol Hill, marking bipartisan support for Jerusalem and the US-Israel relationship. Co-chairs Representative Chris Smith, Representative Brad Sherman, Representative Ronny Jackson, and Representative Brad Schneider led the event, which drew lawmakers, Jewish and Christian leaders, and supporters to emphasize faith-based diplomacy and cooperation between Jewish and Christian communities in reaffirming Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, traffic backed up on multiple highways as ultra-Orthodox draft protests intensified after the Knesset advanced a bill to grant draft evaders the same rights as IDF soldiers. Police shut Highway 4 south of Ramat Gan ahead of demonstrations, and the Israel Airports Authority warned that protests near Ben-Gurion Airport could cause congestion, recommending use of the train to reach the airport. Protests near the Ganot Interchange and the Ben Shemen Interchange were also reported, with existing concert events in the area adding to travel strains. Separately, the IDF promoted two officers to the General Staff: Guy Markizeno became the prime minister’s military secretary, promoted to Major General, and Tal Politis was promoted to Vice Admiral and named the new defense attaché in Washington, replacing the post that had been temporarily held by Brigadier General Arik Ben-Dov. The moves underscore the close security ties with the United States, with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Katz highlighting the enduring US-Israel alliance as a central pillar of Israel’s security and stability in the region. In another development, around 25 Hesder yeshivot have joined earlier institutions in banning Orthodox male students from joining the tank corps in protest of an IDF pilot program to integrate women. The effort aims to form women-only tank units, with religious-Zionist leaders arguing that mingling in such tight, enclosed spaces is immodest, while the IDF describes the program as a limited pilot that could lead to future changes.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Seinfeld dismissed an anti-Israel influencer after a Knicks playoff game, with the influencer pressing him to say “Free Palestine” and Seinfeld replying, “Ha-ha. It doesn’t exist,” before walking away; the moment was shared online by the influencer, who has faced prior harassment over his support for Israel following the October 7 events. In Canada, the former top lawyer of the Toronto District School Board has filed a lawsuit claiming a poisoned and systemically antisemitic environment, alleging that Associate Director Leola Pon made overtly antisemitic and racially divisive remarks and detailing a broader pattern of antisemitic complaints the board allegedly mishandled, in proceedings at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-898919
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-899125
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899106
https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-899135
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-899137
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-899114
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-899127
https://t.me/newssil/203944
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-899144
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-899139